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CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH

1 Contents

Contents

Introduction ...... 3

The Early Years and World War One ...... 4

The Inter-War Years ...... 12

World War Two ...... 19

After World War Two ...... 30

The Present Day ...... 38

The Future ...... 49

Acknowledgements ...... 50

Further Information ...... 50

Top: Aviation Meeting 1910 (photo courtesy Mr J Barker & Mrs E Barker, Bournemouth) Bottom: Dassault Falcon 20s operated by plc

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 2 BRANCH

Introduction

2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Royal In , the Society is represented by Christchurch Branch, Aeronautical Society, the world’s oldest professional institution which organises monthly evening talks at dedicated to furthering the art, science and engineering of between September and April, and also organises occasional aeronautics and astronautics. The Society is unique in welcoming visits for its members to aerospace locations of interest. Members all professionals working in aerospace, whether pilot or lawyer, of the public are welcome to attend any or all of the talks free of engineer or accountant. This gives it the authority to represent the charge, although for a small annual subscription they can be a entire aerospace sector to the community at large. Branch member and enjoy additional benefits.

Among many activities undertaken by the Society are providing To mark the Society’s 150th anniversary, Christchurch Branch policy advice to government, the organisation of specialist wishes to highlight the part Dorset has played and continues to conferences, encouraging young people into aerospace and play in aerospace, by producing this guide to aviation in the running the National Aerospace Library. county. Whilst many locations no longer have any evidence of what took place there, others do, and we hope this will both inform The Society has a broader aim outside these professional you and encourage you to get out and about around our beautiful activities: to inform the general public of the importance of aviation county. and space activities to the UK and the world at large. To this end, it operates through local Branches in the UK and overseas. For more information about Christchurch Branch, please contact These Branches, typically run by a mix of aerospace professionals our Branch Secretary at [email protected] For information and enthusiasts, put on regular talks for the general public on a about the Royal Aeronautical Society as a whole, the website is wide range of aerospace topics, given by specialists in their field. www.aerosociety.com

Mel Porter, Branch Chairman May 2016

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 3 The Early Years and World War One (WW1)

The Early Years and World War One

Dorset is not an area well known for aviation pioneering. In fact, in the years leading up to World War One, what local aviation activity there was mainly occurred around Bournemouth, which was not at that time in Dorset at all. Both Bournemouth and Christchurch were part of until 1974, but they are so important to the development of aviation in the Dorset area that it would be wrong to Early Flights ...... 5 exclude them.

It was not until World War One that aviation really began to make its The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls ...... 6 mark across the county, mainly in support of defending the . Dorset was also home to the first member of the Royal Flying displays and the first flying school.. 7 Flying to be awarded the Victoria Cross. World War One ...... 8

WW1 Operations ...... 11

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 4 The Early Years and World War One (WW1)

Early flights

Dorset’s earliest involvement with aviation saw ballooning during the The first powered flight in Britain, by Samuel Cody, took place on 16 late 1800s. At least two flights ended dramatically, with one, in 1881, October 1908, and flying came to Dorset within two years. resulting in the loss of the MP for Malmesbury, Walter Powell.

A balloon called Saladin in which Powell was a passenger landed heavily on the clifftop at , near . The pilot was thrown Ralph Channon of Dorchester experimented with a Wright-style out and the balloon rose into the air again. It drifted out into the during 1909/10, but he only managed a few short flights from English Channel with Powell still on board. Two years later it was the slopes of Maiden Castle. reported that wreckage of the balloon had been found in Spain, but there was no sign of Powell. Other early Dorset flyers were William McArdle, a Bournemouth garage owner, and J Armstrong Drexel, an American. They met whilst learning to fly near in 1909. On returning to Bournemouth they built a number of Bleriot-style in 1910, giving a flying display at Talbot Village over the Whitsun Bank Holiday.

Drexel flying his Bleriot

J Armstrong Drexel and William McArdle Contemporary image showing Saladin drifting out to sea

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 5 The Early Years and World War One (WW1)

The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls (1877 - 1910)

In 1910, as part its centenary celebrations, Bournemouth staged an International Aviation Meeting at Southbourne . This was one of the first such events in the country. Prize money totalled £8,500, with the outright winner – Leon Morane from – taking home £3,425. The meeting attracted many well-known British aviators, including Samuel Cody, Claude Graham- White, J T Moore-Brabazon and The Hon Charles Stewart Rolls.

The event is remembered principally for the fatal crash of Rolls on 12 July when his Wright Flyer biplane broke up in mid-air, making him the first person to die in an air crash in . As well as being one of the founding partners of Rolls-Royce, he was the first person to fly across the English Channel non-stop in both directions and was also a well-known balloonist. His death caused great public mourning.

Part of the aerodrome later became the site of St Peter’s School, where there is a memorial to the Rolls crash.

Rolls ready to take off in his Wright biplane Rolls in flight

The Rolls memorial at St Peter’s School

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 6 The Early Years and World War One (WW1)

Flying displays and the first flying school

Henri Salmet first visited Bournemouth in Gustav Hamel was a British aviator who Farmland at Talbot Village was August 1912 in his Daily Mail sponsored learned to fly at the Blériot school in Pau. Bournemouth’s first flying ground and in Bleriot biplane. Louis Blériot himself commented that he November 1915 a flying school was had never seen a pilot with such natural established there by the Bournemouth He returned in 1913, running into a tree on ability. Aviation Company. It was used to train landing. Undeterred, he came back that prospective (RFC) pilots December to fly Father Christmas into Hamel flew the first official airmail in Great and, although it was wartime, flights were Meyrick Park. Britain, between Hendon and Windsor in also available to the public at a cost of £3. 1911. In the same year, he made the first of 21 cross-channel flights. He gave a The school moved to nearby number of public flying displays and during in 1917 and the site reverted to farming. In July 1912 a Mr Fischler demonstrated his a visit to Meyrick Park, Bournemouth, in Farman waterplane from alongside April 1914 he flew twenty-one loops. Bournemouth pier, giving a flight to the Mayor and Town Clerk.

Fischler’s Farman alongside Bournemouth Pier

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 7 The Early Years and World War One (WW1)

World War One

In August 1916 a plane, flown by one of the instructors from Talbot Ensbury Park, then on the northern outskirts of Bournemouth, took Village, flew low over . He was giving a demonstration over the over from at the beginning of 1917. town to raise funds for two of its hospitals. He landed at to give the public a close-up look at his plane. Although still a civilian flying school, the Bournemouth Aviation Company continued to train pilots for the RFC and Royal Naval Air The Admiralty established a shipyard in the Lake area of Hamworthy Service, as well as Belgians and Canadians. It claimed to be the best in 1916. This was later expanded to accommodate , -equipped flying school outside . used included probably Short 184s, operating patrols over the English Channel. Caudron, Curtiss JN-3s and 504s.

On 1 April 1918 the was formed and the site became RAF Winton.

Short 184 Caudron biplane trainer

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 8 The Early Years and World War One (WW1)

World War One (continued)

Portland Weymouth

Portland was a major base The Daily Mail sponsored a race for which, during the Naval Review of May waterplanes at Weymouth in 1912, 1912, saw a Short biplane take off from the probably to tie in with the Naval Review deck of HMS Hibernia, so paving the way for held at Portland in May. . A number of other flights were made in connection with the Review, A field at Lodmoor was used by other operating from a site at nearby Lodmoor. aircraft attending the Naval Review. It remained in limited use during WW1 and In September 1916 a flight of Short 184 was subsequently listed as Weymouth’s seaplanes was based at Castletown, Aerodrome. It was little used, however, Portland, to operate patrols over the English and closed in 1922. Channel. The base and aircraft transferred to the RAF on 1 April 1918, but disbanded in June 1919.

Two of the entrants to the Weymouth Race of May 1912

Short 184 and ‘sheds’ at Castletown Short S27 biplane on foredeck of HMS Hibernia

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 9 The Early Years and World War One (WW1)

World War One (continued)

Chickerell Bridport Lieutenant William Rhodes-Moorhouse VC, RFC The Royal Navy established a base at Early in 1918 National War Bonds were , to the west of Weymouth, using sold by the Government to raise funds. Rhodes-Moorhouse was an early British DH6s to operate patrols over the English aviator who flew the English Channel in Channel in conjunction with the seaplanes The people of Bridport aimed to raise 1912. His family moved to Parnham House from Portland. The patrols ceased at the end £15,000 which, they were told, would at in 1913 and he joined the of the war. purchase six aircraft for the RAF. The Royal Flying Corps the following year. Bridport Aeroplane Bank was set up in The site continued to be used for occasional March and a total of £69,070 (over On 26 April 1915, whilst attacking a railway visits by aircraft operating in conjunction with £4million today) was raised - reportedly junction at Kortrijk, , he ran into the Navy at Portland. enough to buy two squadrons. heavy small arms fire and was severely wounded. While returning to the Allied lines, he again encountered heavy ground fire and was wounded twice more. He managed to return with his aircraft and insisted on making his report before being taken to the Casualty Clearing Station. He died the following day. For his bravery he was awarded DH6 as operated from Chickerell the Victoria Cross – the first to be given to an airman. The event is

Photo courtesy of Barrie Pictures commemorated by a Rhodes-Moorhouse in his RFC uniform www.barriepictures.co.uk memorial at the family home.

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 10 The Early Years and World War One (WW1)

WW1 Airship Operations

In 1915, to counter the threat of German in the English Channel, the Royal Navy established a number of airship stations along the south coast. To expand the coverage further, smaller outstations were added later, including some in Dorset. Normally two would be based at each outstation.

Toller Upton Moreton

This was the first of Dorset’s three WW1 Situated to the north of Poole, this was North-east of , Moreton was airship bases. another WW1 airship base. intended to be another airship base.

Constructed within woodland to the west of Also hidden in woods, the site became However, construction work had not been in 1916, it housed rather operational in 1917 with SSZ Class airships completed by the end of the war and so the primitive, non-rigid airships with the crew scouring the English Channel for German site saw no airship activity. seated in an open gondola underneath. Later shipping. SSZ Class airships operated patrols from there between Portland and Start Point, The site closed at the end of the war and . now forms part of Upton Country Park.

The base closed at the end of the war.

Crew accommodation on SSZ SS Class airship as operated from Toller SSZ Class airship A later Coastal Star Class airship

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 11 The Inter-War Years

The Inter-War Years

Most of the elements that we associate with aviation in Dorset today started to appear during this period. , air services and flying clubs emerged, some only briefly, whilst occasional public spectacles continued to be held. Sadly, seaplane services are no longer with us, but Bournemouth produced the forerunner of the Air Cadet movement, which remains an important organisation nationally. Bournemouth’s First ...... 13 Sir Alan Cobham’s visits to the area were eventually to lead to his establishment of an important part of Dorset’s aerospace industry. Flying at Bournemouth ...... 14 Before that, however, the overflight of the Graf was a harbinger of the conflict to come. Flying at Christchurch ...... 15

Around the County ...... 16

Sir Alan Cobham ...... 17

Bournemouth Young Airmen’s League ... 18

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 12 The Inter-War Years

Bournemouth’s First Airport

With the return to peace, Ensbury Park briefly became Bournemouth’s first airport, with services from London by 0/400s, which were converted . The service operated for only a few weeks, from 5 June to 18 August 1919.

The flying school continued and the site was used for a number of air races in the mid-1920s, attracting many well-known flyers. However, these resulted in a number of serious accidents. The site was also used for horse racing from the spring of 1925.

Neither the flying school nor horse racing was successful in the longer term and by the end of 1930 the land had been sold for housing. Until very recently, a reminder of the use of the land was the Horse and Jockey in Wimborne Road. However, even this link with the past has now been lost, as the pub was renamed in 2015.

Entrance to the airfield

Handley Page 0/400 Air Race in progress over the Horse Race Course

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 13 The Inter-War Years

Flying at Bournemouth

Bournemouth Pier was the terminal for seaplane services operated by Another of Bournemouth’s early claims to a place in aviation history Aviation from Woolston, near . These was its hosting of the Schneider Trophy Race in September 1919. services ran for only a short time, from July to October 1919. Organised by the Royal Aero Club, teams from France, and Great Britain entered. Supermarine Channels were used, and these also offered ‘Trips round the Bay’ and flights to the . Dense fog caused every competitor to withdraw except the Italian Guido Janello. Unfortunately, he flew an incorrect course and the race was eventually declared void.

The British entry - a Supermarine Sea Lion

Supermarine Channel taking off

Janello’s Savoia S13

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 14 The Inter-War Years

Flying at Christchurch

Flying at Christchurch in the late 1920s was undertaken from ‘Burry’s Field’, adjacent to Lane. Pleasure Flights were offered in Avro 504s for 5/- (25p). Visiting pilots were advised to look out for cattle and haystacks on the airfield.

In 1930 Francis Fisher arrived to operate his from nearby Somerford Bridge. In due course the two fields were combined to form Christchurch Airport, which opened in 1933.

In 1935, new owners changed the name to . A number of small operated from there until the outbreak of war, with services to Croydon, , and the .

Passenger terminal in the mid 1930s

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 15 The Inter-War Years

Around the County

Swanage Dorchester Airships over Dorset

The Light Aero Club was Although Dorchester is the County Town, it Airship flew night-time trials over the established at , on the was never heavily involved with aviation. Isle of Wight and the Isle of Purbeck on 2 , in the summer of 1928. An November 1929. opening flying display was held on 16 August The Dorsetshire Aero Club was formed in with around 1,000 people attending. The field August 1928 on a site to the east of the Graf Zeppelin overflew Bournemouth on 2 was grandly named Aerodrome and town, but did not last very long. July 1932 whilst on a round-the-country was often used by visitors to the local golf Dorchester was included in the 1934 flight, as did the Hindenburg on the evening club. timetable of Provincial Airways as part of of 6 July 1936. Flying seems to have ended by the late their Croydon to Plymouth route. However Reports that they were spying on the area 1930s, with the field becoming the village there was little demand and the went proved to be well-founded as, by the football ground. out of business at the end of the year. outbreak of war, had excellent aerial photographs of local military establishments.

Weymouth

Having initially been listed as a licensed airfield, by 1921 the site at Lodmoor had been relegated to an emergency landing field.

Another airfield, located at Chickerell, saw some use in the 1920/30s and was visited several times by Sir Alan Cobham’s “Flying Simmonds Spartan as used by the Flying Club Circus”. Sir Alan referred to this as Hindenburg Chickerell Aerodrome, Weymouth.

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 16 The Inter-War Years

Sir Alan Cobham KBE AFC (1894 - 1973)

Sir Alan Cobham was in the public eye in the 1920s because of a number of long distance air flights – to and , and Sir Alan won the King's Cup Air Race in 1924, around . In 1929 he was asked by Bournemouth Council to at his third attempt. recommend the site of an airport for the town. He made a number of suggestions, but the Council did not follow up on any of them. The map below shows the ambitious 1929 He said that East Parley had the makings of a magnificent itinerary for Sir Alan’s Municipal Aerodrome aerodrome. This was the area selected by the RAF in 1940 for the Campaign, 21 weeks flying a ten seat DH61 around the country, during which he visited 110 construction of RAF Hurn (now Bournemouth Airport). towns, made 5,000 landings and carried 40,000 passengers. He also made visits to Dorchester and Weymouth as part of his Municipal Aerodrome Campaign, but they did not result in the development of an aerodrome in either town.

In order to get the British public air-minded, he established his National Aviation Day in 1933. With a variety of aircraft he toured the country providing spectacular air displays as well as the chance to have a flight. The public soon called this Cobham’s “Flying Circus” - a title he did not like.

Sir Alan went on to found Flight Refuelling Ltd in the late 1930s. Its pioneering flight refuelling work was adopted by the military in the early 1950s. The company initially operated in Dorset from , having relocated there from Ford in , before moving to Wimborne and Bournemouth Airport in the 1980s.

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 17 The Inter-War Years

Bournemouth Young Airmen’s League

Most people – even members of the Air Cadet Organisation - have Aviation, that could be used for instructional purposes – although not probably never heard of the Bournemouth Young Airmen’s League for flying! (BYAL), but it was undoubtedly the inspiration for two national organisations that succeeded it – the Air Defence Cadet Corps in The unit attracted a lot of public interest, and the famous aviatrix, Amy 1938 and the in 1941. Johnson, became its Honorary President. The BYAL was also assisted with lecture material by the Air League of the , Founded in 1928, the BYAL was the brainchild of two and an approach was made to the Air League in 1929 to discuss the great aviation enthusiasts – ex-RFC Flying Cadet idea of a British Young Airmen’s League. The Air League agreed with Charles (Charlie) Longman and ex-air mechanic the idea in principle and, following meetings to discuss its feasibility, it Robert (Bob) Weller. It was a direct result of their was decided to launch a fund to finance the new venture. However, experiences during the First World War, where they with the tragic death of Sir Sefton Brancker, one of its key supporters, had seen the tragic results of the inadequate training in the R101 Airship disaster in 1930, no further progress was made. of many young Allied flyers. All was not lost, however, Bob Weller Their ambition was to build an organisation that because in 1933 the Air would create a national interest in aviation and League appointed a new spread the gospel of air-mindedness among the Secretary General, Air younger generation. From small beginnings, with a Commodore Adrian Chamier, membership of just six boys, one small model and no who also saw the need to funds, they created an air cadet unit that taught generate an aviation interest youngsters a wide variety of aviation-related skills, in young men. In December including principles of flight, navigation, and 1937, he announced that his engineering. They even had their own specially ideas for an Air Cadet Corps Charlie Longman designed uniform. had been presented to the and had met with BYAL with DH Gipsy Moth at Hamble, December 1930 The BYAL developed close links with the aviation industry, and was Government approval. The able to arrange visits to many aircraft factories. Through sheer first Air Defence Cadet Corps persistence they were even able to acquire a surplus Hawker Squadron was formed in 1938. Woodcock airframe from Sir Sefton Brancker, the Director of Civil

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 18 World War Two (WW2)

World War Two

At the outbreak of war, Dorset’s only active military airfield was RAF Warmwell which, at the time, was a training base. However, when German forces moved through Belgium and into France it was realised that the south coast would need more fighter bases. Warmwell ...... 20 The Portland Naval Base soon proved to be a main target, so Spitfires were moved from Middle Wallop to be based at Warmwell. Tarrant Rushton ...... 21

As the war progressed, further airfields were built around the county, Christchurch ...... 22 as well as additional facilities that the military needed, such as sites and bombing ranges. Hurn and Portland ...... 23

Poole Harbour ...... 24

Bombing and Gunnery Ranges ...... 25

Radar ...... 26

Decoy and Anti-Aircraft Sites ...... 28

Crash Sites and Memorials ...... 29

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 19 World War Two (WW2)

Warmwell

This RAF station, to the east of Dorchester, opened in May 1937 as a base for aircraft using the Bombing Range. However, it came to the fore from July 1940 during the when there were many Luftwaffe attacks in the local area, especially on the Naval Base at Portland. Hurricanes and Spitfires were swiftly based here, seeing much activity in the summer of 1940, often against enemy formations of up to two hundred aircraft.

Other fighters based here later in the war included Whirlwinds and Typhoons, with USAAF P-38 over the D-Day period in June 1944. Subsequently, a variety of RAF squadrons attended Armament Practice Camps there. Warmwell closed at the end of 1945.

Whirlwind fighter of 263 Squadron Warmwell memorial

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 20 World War Two (WW2)

Tarrant Rushton

This was a major RAF airfield, which opened at the end of 1942. It was The Tarrant Rushton situated south-east of Blandford, close to historic . memorial is located on a corner of the Intended for bombers, it was used by mainly for former airfield, on the minor road between towing. Converted Halifax and Stirling bombers were used as tugs for Tarrant Rushton and Horsa and Hamilcar assault gliders. Tarrant Rushton was also involved Witchampton. in SOE operations over enemy territory. The airfield’s claim to fame is that the first gliders to land successfully in France early in the morning of D-Day had left from Tarrant Rushton. The troops captured a vital bridge over the Orne canal at Benouville, north of Caen. It was renamed in honour of the operation, the name derived from the shoulder emblem worn by the British airborne forces.

With the end of the war the RAF had no further use for Tarrant Rushton.

Horsa under tow Halifax tugs and Hamilcar & Horsa gliders

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 21 World War Two (WW2)

Christchurch

In 1939, the Government built a large factory on Christchurch airfield, and Airspeed Ltd produced Oxford trainers and Horsa assault gliders there for the RAF.

The airfield was used by the Special Duties Flight for a few months in 1940, working in connection with the development of radar. The spring of 1944 saw the arrival of USAAF P-47 Thunderbolts for the D-Day landings. Subsequently, the squadrons moved across the English Channel to Normandy. An RAF gliding school remained as Christchurch’s only military occupant, providing instruction to local Air Cadets.

USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt pilots

Glider training with the Air Cadets assault glider trainers

USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt and US pilots

In 1938 the Air Defence Research and Development Establishment was formed at Somerford on the north-east side of Christchurch Aerodrome. It was involved in the early development of radar, working in conjunction with the Telecommunications Research Establishment at Worth Matravers in the Purbeck Hills. The work was secret and, in the early days, rumours spread among the local residents that the Establishment was developing a Death Ray. By the end of 1940 it had perfected mobile ground-to-air radar for operational use by the RAF.

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 22 World War Two (WW2)

Hurn and Portland

Hurn Portland

One of the new wartime airfields built in Dorset, RAF Hurn opened in Naval aircraft returned to in September 1939 with the April 1941. arrival of Swordfish floatplanes.

Initially, it did not see operational use, but was used for training. This However the base proved susceptible to Luftwaffe attacks and the included glider towing and the development of airborne radar. There aircraft moved north to Scotland in July 1940. The Luftwaffe’s first were also limited services by BOAC, mainly for VIPs, to North Africa attack on the base - and on Dorset - was on 30 June 1940. and the . However, the airfield became very active over the D-Day period with RAF and RCAF fighter squadrons using Typhoons and Mosquitos, followed later by the USAAF flying B-26 Marauder bombers. The fighters were soon able to use temporary airstrips in Normandy during daylight hours, returning to Hurn for servicing. All the aircraft had moved to Normandy by August 1944.

In November 1944, when no longer required by the military, Hurn became Britain’s prime civil airport and remained so until London Heathrow was completed in May 1946. Its main users were BOAC, , Pan American, KLM, Sabena and .

Swordfish floatplanes operated from Portland Harbour

USAAF B-26 Marauder bomber RAF Typhoon fighter-bomber

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 23 World War Two (WW2)

Poole Harbour

At the outbreak of WW2, moved their In June 1942, the RAF established a flying boat base in Poole operations from Southampton to what became Poole Maritime Harbour to increase aerial coverage of the Bay of Biscay, where Airport. The airline became part of British Overseas Airways German U-Boats were very active and sinking a large number of Corporation (BOAC) on 1 April 1940 with its Headquarters being at allied ships. Limited facilities were provided on the slipways at Lake, ‘Airways House’ in Poole High Street. Short C-Class flying boats were Hamworthy, as there were no hangars available. Initially, used to retain contact with the Empire and were later joined by Sunderlands were based at RAF Hamworthy, followed in April 1943 Sunderlands and Boeing 314 Clippers. The latter provided a limited by Catalinas. The RAF moved out at the end of 1943, but there were service to North America. Other routes included Foynes (County still BOAC flying boats to be seen in Poole Harbour. Limerick), and West Africa. The Salterns Hotel at Lilliput served as the airline’s terminal. Today, “Poole Flying Boats Celebration” aims to advance awareness of The southern waters of Poole Harbour provided a base for the Royal the Flying Boat and Seaplane services based in Poole during and after Navy’s Basic Seaplane Training School, which opened in the summer WW2, with an extensive public-access archive and projects drawing on of 1940. It operated Walrus amphibians and Kingfisher, Seafox and the memories of those involved. Swordfish floatplanes. The headquarters and hangar of HMS For more information visit their website at Daedalus II were in premises commandeered from the Royal Motor Yacht Club at Sandbanks. The School moved out in October 1943 as www.pooleflyingboats.com the Harbour was becoming busy with preparations for D-Day.

BOAC Kingfisher floatplane from Sandbanks over A Sunderland on the hard standing for maintenance Poole Park lake Ground crews and their normal transport

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 24 World War Two (WW2)

Bombing and Gunnery Ranges

In 1937, the RAF established a bombing and gunnery range along the Situated inside the Cobb at Fleet Lagoon, at Chesil Beach. In 1939, the range was extended , the RAF Marine further into . The ranges were used by a variety of bombers Craft Unit was established in and fighters throughout the war for their crews to improve their skills. 1937 to provide support for the Chesil Beach Bombing Range, The Fleet Range played a vital part in the war effort, when it was using fast patrol boats and chosen as one of the sites for testing the new “bouncing ” safety launches. developed by Barnes Wallis to destroy the Ruhr Dams and other naval targets. In late 1942, Wellington aircraft (also designed by Barnes Soon after the outbreak of war, Range Safety Launch on the slipway Wallis), operating from RAF Warmwell, dropped a variety of prototype the unit also began undertaking of the original spherical design, which was later developed as Air Sea Rescue duties. This work continued post-war, until replaced by “Highball” to be deployed by Mosquito aircraft against shipping targets. helicopters in the late 1950s. The base closed in July 1964.

A second design of “”, the more familiar “Upkeep” cylindrical bomb, was developed later and used by 617 Squadron in Chickerell, near Weymouth, was the “Dambusters” raid in 1943. brought back into use late in 1936 in connection with the nearby Chesil Beach Bombing Range.

The airfield proved a useful emergency landing site for aircraft using the range. A Wellington dropping an early version of the Bouncing Bomb Westland Wallace used as target tugs from Round-shaped early Bouncing Bomb Chickerell

Ballard Down, to the north of Swanage and adjacent to , was used by the RAF in the months prior to D-Day as a gunnery range. fighter bombers of various squadrons were among the aircraft which attacked a variety of ground targets. Today, there is nothing to be seen of this wartime activity.

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 25 World War Two (WW2)

Radar

World War Two saw the development of radar, which was a key part of the country’s defences.

CHAIN HOME formed part of the world’s first integrated air defence system. It covered the eastern and southern coastlines of the UK and was operational by the start of the war in 1939. LOW was then introduced to provide coverage down to 500 feet, and CHAIN HOME EXTRA LOW later extended this coverage down to 50 feet.

GEE was a navigation system that was developed at Swanage and enabled navigators to plot their position throughout the UK and .

Airborne Interception (AI) Radar was installed in many aircraft to assist the crew in locating enemy aircraft. Initially developed at Manor, Woodbridge, its efficiency was later greatly enhanced by the introduction of the cavity magnetron.

Situated in the Purbeck Hills, Worth Matravers was part of the wartime expansion of Chain Radar westwards from the Isle of Wight, so giving greater warning of impending Luftwaffe attacks.

The site was also used by the Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE) for the further development of radar, including AI radar. The cliff-top site was an obvious potential target and so the TRE moved inland to Malvern in the spring of 1942. Worth Matravers also became a Radar Station, providing radar navigation for RAF bombers over enemy territory.

The RAF continued with radar operations at Worth Matravers until well after the war and the 360-foot tower was only taken down in the early 1970s.

Memorial at St ’s Head, The two main radar towers at Worth Matravers Worth Matravers (photo: Jim Champion)

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 26 World War Two (WW2)

Radar (continued)

In the spring of 1941, the RAF opened a Chain Home radar station at Southbourne, west of . There were various aerials and buildings in bunkers. These were no longer needed with the return to peace.

To the west of Blandford, Bulbarrow Hill was a RAF radar station which opened in 1942. Provided with wooden masts, it was the master station for the RAF’s Southern Gee Chain network. The station continued in use until the end of 1957, when the USAF developed it in connection with their site at Ringstead. The fenced-off site is still there and is now used for telecommunication masts.

Situated on Portland, Westcliff radar site opened in 1941, providing cover over Lyme Bay.

Situated on the cliffs to the east of Weymouth, Ringstead was an The USAFs Tropospheric Scatter site at Ringstead RAF wartime Chain Home Radar station. Equipped with six masts, it became operational in the spring of 1942 and continued on a reduced basis post war. However, with the looming, Ringstead was upgraded and remained in use until 1956. For more information, The USAF arrived at the end of 1963 to build a Tropospheric Scatter facility adjacent to the former RAF site. This remained in use until visit the Purbeck Radar Museum Trust’s website at 1974 when it was replaced by satellites. www.purbeckradar.org.uk

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 27 World War Two (WW2)

Decoy Sites Anti-Aircraft Sites

Known as Starfish sites, these large-scale night-time decoys were Anti-aircraft defences, using either 3.7 inch AA guns or Bofors 40mm created during to simulate burning British cities. The aim guns, were used to protect military and industrial sites. These anti- was to divert night bombers from their intended targets so that they aircraft sites included would drop their ordnance over the countryside. Location Grid Ref Location Grid Ref A number of sites were used in Dorset, including Arne SY 966874 Parkstone Bay SZ 031907 Type Location Grid Ref Blackhead SY 723825 Shell Bay SZ 031857 East Weare SY 098736 Slepe SY 924922 Naval Arne SY 963868 Fleet SY 623804 Southwell SY 684697 Naval Brownsea Island SZ 011878 (decoy site for Poole) Holton Heath SY 939902 Upton SY 979937 Army Canford Magna SZ 027963 Nothe SY 686787 Verne SY 696732 Naval Gore Heath SY 922914 Northport SY 919887 Wyke SY 658775 RAF Knighton SY 812866 (decoy site for Warmwell) Naval Littlemoor SY 682823 Naval Wyke Oliver SY 682823 RAF Ridley Plain SU 210072 RAF SU 100066 Naval Fleet SY 637791

The Holton Heath tower can still be seen

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 28 World War Two (WW2)

Crash sites and memorials

In common with the rest of the country, Dorset saw numerous plane Halifax crash at crashes, with both military and civilian casualties. Several are commemorated with memorials at or near the crash sites. The Early on 21 March 1944, Halifax JP137 events recorded here are just a few examples. took off from Hurn aerodrome but during the first few minutes of flight a serious engine malfunction occurred. The aircraft turned back towards Hurn before flying low, Spitfire crash at crashing and exploding in Wimborne Road, On 29 November 1940, Spitfire Moordown, in north Bournemouth. R6907 crashed into woodland at A memorial to the seven aircrew and two Field Grove, near Durweston, north local residents who lost their lives in the of Blandford. The pilot, Pilot crash was erected in 2011. It stands at the scene of the disaster on John Woodward Allan of 152 the corner of Meadow Court Close and Wimborne Road. Squadron, RAF Warmwell is thought to have fainted through lack of For a full account, visit the Moordown Halifax Memorial website oxygen and was killed in the crash. www.jp137.com In 1978 a granite memorial was placed at the crash site, replacing a Bomb damage at Moreton plaque on the trunk of a tree hit by the plane. St Nicholas Church, Moreton, east of Dorchester, was hit by a stray German bomb in May 1940 and its windows were blown out. Source: “Dorset Flight - The Complete History” Rodney Legg 2001 In 1955, Sir Lawrence Whistler was asked to produce a series of etched glass windows, and over the following 30 years these were installed. The Trinity Chapel window commemorates an RAF pilot For a comprehensive list of air crashes in Dorset, visit shot down in the in 1940. http://dorset.hampshireairfields.co.uk/dorcrash.html T E Lawrence, better known as “Lawrence of Arabia”, is buried in the nearby churchyard.

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 29 After World War Two

After World War Two

The post war years led to a golden age for aviation in Dorset. After a

brief period as Britain’s major international airport, Bournemouth was served by a succession of airlines, including two well-remembered carriers for which it was their base, Channel Express and Palmair. It also housed the production lines for, amongst others, two of the most successful British , the Viscount and BAC One-Eleven. Bournemouth Airport ...... 31

Not far away, Christchurch Airfield saw the manufacture of other Industry at Bournemouth Airport ...... 32 iconic British aircraft, including the Ambassador and Sea Vixen. Tarrant Rushton became the base for Flight Refuelling Ltd, the world- People at Bournemouth Airport ...... 33 leading air-to-air refuelling company founded by Sir Alan Cobham. At this time, it began to expand its activities into additional fields such as Christchurch ...... 34 aircraft maintenance and operation and unmanned aircraft. Further west, Portland became an important helicopter base. Gliding at Christchurch ...... 35

Other locations ...... 36

Flight Refuelling Ltd ...... 37

Handley Page Herald operated by Channel Express

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 30 After World War Two

Bournemouth Airport

The return to peace saw an increase in BOAC services from Local services commenced in the 1950s, serving the Channel Bournemouth. However these were for government officials or Islands, Paris, and Glasgow. military VIPs, not the public. Car ferry services operated The route to Sydney by to the commenced in May 1945 Channel Islands and operated by converted Cherbourg began in the late Lancaster bombers. 1950s – this was before the Transatlantic services from development of roll-on/roll- New York by American off ferry ships. Silver City Airlines and Pan American services ended in 1966. commenced in October 1945, using DC-4 American Airlines first flight from New York Skymasters and Constellations. In 1995, the airport was bought by National Express who extended All BOAC services moved to the new in May 1946. the main to accommodate Boeing 767s. The extension was opened by in April However, throughout the 1940/50s, Bournemouth was the diversion 1996. The visited on airport for London, receiving major airlines from around the world, several occasions, operating including Air India, Pan American, Qantas and South African charters for local company Airways. Bath Travel.

In May 1996 Ryanair, the first of the low-cost carriers to use Bournemouth, began operating with cheap flights to .

Concorde visit in the 1990s

BOAC aircraft diverted from London Airport

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 31 After World War Two

Industry at Bournemouth Airport

In 1949 Bournemouth became the home of the School of Air Traffic During the 1950s, there was a thriving aircraft construction industry at Control, which trained controllers from around the world. It became the Bournemouth Airport, with Vickers-Armstrong building Varsity trainers College of in 1962. In 2009, the College relocated, and Viscount airliners. The Viscount was a very successful turbo- under its new title National Air Traffic Services, to a new site at prop airliner which was initially operated by Swanwick. (BEA). It was sold world-wide and was a major dollar earner for Great Britain. Channel Express (Air Services) Ltd was established in 1978, operating daily services to the Channel Islands under the name Express Air The Viscount was followed in the 1960/70s by the BAC One-Eleven Services, initially using Handley Page Dart Herald aircraft. Cargo airliner, another export success. With the sale of the final One- carried included flowers and tomatoes. Eleven, the factory closed in July 1984. However the buildings continue in use at the present time with aviation-related and other In the early 1980s Channel Express secured a contract with the Post activities. Office to fly mail from the south of to Liverpool for sorting and distribution to other parts of the country. Planes returned with local mail. The service finished in December 2015.

Dakotas were daily visitors to Bournemouth Dart Herald operated by Channel Express Viscount production line 1954 One-Elevens awaiting delivery in the 1960s

For more information on Channel Express, visit the Dart website

http://www.dartgroup.co.uk/Dart-Group-history/

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 32 After World War Two

People at Bournemouth Airport

Steve Fossett Peter Bath

A well-known American aviator, he established many long-flying Peter Bath was a well-known Bournemouth businessman. records. He joined the family travel agency, Bath Travel, and was, for many Flying the Virgin Global Flyer, he established the “distance without years, its managing director. In 1958, he founded Palmair Holidays, landing” record of 25,766 miles on 8 – 11 February 2006. The flight which flew many local residents to the Mediterranean, principally was due to end at Manston, , but electrical problems whilst Palma, Mallorca. Palmair the airline was formed in 1993 and descending over the Irish Sea forced him to divert into Bournemouth. received top awards from Holiday Which? magazine despite only All the aircraft’s tyres burst on landing. As a result, Bournemouth having one aircraft. Part of this aircraft can now be seen at the unexpectedly found itself in the record books. Bournemouth Aviation Museum.

Fossett was killed in a light aircraft crash in Nevada in September Peter is remembered for personally seeing off all his passengers on 2007. their flights from Bournemouth. He died in 2006.

Peter Bath waiting to greet his passengers Palmair ’ s BAe146 Whisperjet

Virgin Global Flyer on the ground at Bournemouth

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 33 After World War Two

Christchurch

After WW2, the RAF no longer needed Christchurch and moved out Airspeed Ltd developed the Ambassador airliner in the late 1940s, in January 1946. with 20 entering service with BEA.

Apart from the flying associated with the factory, there In 1951 Airspeed was taken over by de Havilland Aircraft and the was limited private flying at Christchurch in the years after the war. factory was then used for the production of Vampire trainers & Venom night fighters for the RAF and Sea Venom & Sea Vixen Training and pleasure flights were provided by the Christchurch Aero fighters for the Navy. The fighters were also widely exported. Club, giving flyers excellent views over , the Isle of Wight and the New Forest. Rationalisation of Britain’s aircraft industry saw the factory close in June 1962

Former De Havilland factory, now used by Ambassador airliner light industry Aero Club Tiger Moth Sea Vixen naval fighter

Christchurch airfield closed in autumn 1964. The site was developed for commercial and residential purposes and many of the roads were given aeronautical names.

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 34 After World War Two

Gliding at Christchurch

In March 1944, the Air Training Corps Volunteer Gliding School was formed as 89 Gliding School RAF, based at Christchurch airfield.

It was initially equipped with Dagling Mk Is and later with Cadet Mk I and Mk IIs.

Two-seater training began with the introduction of T21 Sedbergh and Cadet Mk III aircraft in 1950.

The School entered the National Gliding Championships at Lasham in 1954 and one of its pilots recorded a flight of 73 miles to Weymouth in a T21 glider.

In 1955/56 the school was re-designated 622 Gliding School, parented by nearby RAF Sopley located across the border in Hampshire.

In June 1963, with the airfield’s imminent closure, the unit moved to Old Sarum and then relocated to RAF (now Trenchard Lines) in 1978. It is now 622 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, and, following a reorganisation in 2016, is one of 11 units, together with Slingsby Cadet training glider the Central Gliding School, serving the Air Cadet Organisation.

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 35 After World War Two

Other locations

Chickerell Poole Harbour Helicopters at Portland

Chickerell continued in limited use for aircraft With the return to peace, BOAC’s services Portland was one of the first post-war using the Chesil Beach Bombing Range. It expanded to , the Far East and helicopter bases and was the site for float- was also a base for Royal Navy Dragonfly Australia, with newer Hythe and equipped Sikorsky Hoverflys. helicopters and for early trials of the Sandringham flying boats being introduced. Whirlwind helicopter in 1953. The base underwent a major rebuild in the In the spring of 1948, BOAC moved its late 1950s, opening as HMS Osprey in April Flying ceased by the summer of 1955 and services back to their pre-war base at 1959 and becoming a main helicopter the airfield closed in 1959. Southampton and the harbour returned to training base. Initial operations were with the yachting. A number of surplus flying boats Dragonfly and Whirlwind, then progressing flew back to the harbour for storage in the onto the Wessex, Wasp and Sea King. 1950s. However, there was no further use for them and so they were eventually When the Merlin started its trials in 1990, the broken up. end of Portland was in sight and it closed in the spring of 1999.

Prototype Whirlwind undergoing naval trials

Prototype Wasp on trials at Portland View of Portland airfield in the Yachts return to Poole Harbour Short Solent III G -AHIL “City of ” early 1960s A sad end to the flying boats Dorset Aviation Past and Present 36 After World War Two

Flight Refuelling Ltd

Flight Refuelling moved into the former RAF In the early 1960s Flight Refuelling built a Sir Michael Cobham airfield at Tarrant Rushton in 1948. The large factory at Wimborne for the Son of Sir Alan, Michael joined Flight company was the leader in the development production of in-flight refuelling equipment. Refuelling in 1944. Following his father’s of in-flight refuelling with initial trials using an It also used a hangar at Bournemouth death in 1973, he became Chairman and elderly Lancaster as a tanker refuelling a Airport where it converted VC10s into Chief Executive. His drive and vision Meteor fighter. In the late 1940s the system tankers and as a base for its Falcon 20 was sold to the USAF. fleet. These were used in a threat- oversaw the continued worldwide growth of simulation role on naval exercises in the the company. He retired in 1995, the year in A number of their Lancaster tankers were Channel. which he received his knighthood. He died used during the Berlin Airlift (1948 - 49). in April 2006. In 1994, the Flight Refuelling group was In due course, the RAF developed a fleet of Sir Michael was renamed Cobham plc to recognise the Valiant and Victor tankers fitted with Flight president of the company’s founding family. In 2008, Refuelling equipment. During the 1960s/70s, Christchurch Branch individual companies within the group were the company also converted a large number of the Royal renamed to reflect the Cobham heritage. of surplus Meteor fighters into target drones. Aeronautical Society Tarrant Rushton airfield was returned to from the early 1980s In the 1960s, during the Cold War, Tarrant farming in the 1980s. until he stepped Rushton was a V-Bombers Dispersal Airfield, down in 2002. with Valiants and Victors seen there on exercises from their home bases.

Meteor prepares to refuel Lancaster tanker G-33-2 refuelling Valiant bombers on Cold War standby at Tarrant Rushton Lancastrian on Berlin Airlift duties Meteor over Poole Harbour

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 37 Present Day Present Day

Today, aviation and aerospace activity in Dorset reflects the national picture. The UK manufacturing industry now largely makes

components and systems rather than complete aircraft, but remains one of the largest of the world’s aerospace industries. A large Aviation Industry Today ...... 39 number of small and medium sized enterprises based in Dorset contribute substantially. Around the Airport ...... 41 The explosive worldwide growth in air travel has led to the success of low cost carriers and holiday airlines, both reflected in the services Bournemouth Air Displays ...... 42 from Bournemouth Airport, which has itself expanded.

The continuing importance of tourism to the UK economy is Bournemouth Association ... 43 underlined by the establishment of the Bournemouth Air Festival, now a major event in the annual air display calendar. Bournemouth Air Festival...... 44 Meanwhile, Dorset continues to be a centre for recreational flying and flight training which, with the continuing success of the Air Cadet Emergency Services ...... 45 movement, supports the growing need for pilots, engineers and ground support staff to sustain the expansion of aviation and Air Training Corps ...... 46 aerospace worldwide. Flight Training and Leisure Flying ...... 47

Gliding ...... 48

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 38 Present Day

Aviation Industry Today

Today, most of Dorset's aerospace industry is concentrated on or close to Bournemouth International Airport. There are many small companies offering, for example, flight training, business jet and helicopter charter and aircraft maintenance and repair. Amongst them are three companies which are Corporate Partners of the Royal Aeronautical Society, supporting the Society's professional aims and standards.

Beagle Technology Group, Cobham, with wide interests in the defence, security and commercial located in central Christchurch, markets, which has two major facilities in the area. The Group specialises in the design and headquarters at Wimborne is a world-leading centre for the design and manufacture of metallic and manufacture of air-to-air refuelling equipment; the facility at composite parts and structures. Bournemouth Airport is, amongst other things, a centre for the maintenance and operation of special mission aircraft. http://www.beagletg.com/

Tucano Air Intake

Photos courtesy of Beagle Technology Group RAF Voyager refuelling a Tornado and Typhoon

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 39 Present Day

Aviation Industry Today (continued)

Meggitt plc specialises in smart engineering for extreme environments: An exception to the geographical rule is AmSafe, located in the west of past, present and future. the county at Bridport. Today, Amsafe is the world’s leading provider of safety restraint products for the aerospace, defence, speciality and From the world’s first to critical components for NASA’s Mars vehicle industries, manufacturing unique products such as the seatbelt rocket, Meggitt, which is based near the airport, has been solving airbag. some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges in aerospace, defence and energy for 150 years. In 1955, one of its predecessors, Cummings & Sanders, was granted the metal-to-metal buckle patent and the seatbelt industry was born. Today, Meggitt is winning support from global leaders in government, universities and business for using smart tools and big data to bring In the early 1960s, another AmSafe company, Bridport plc, then the Industry 4.0 to aerospace and innovative R&D in areas such as next- largest rope and net producer in Europe, began designing and generation architecture and additive layer manufacturing. manufacturing nets for the aviation industry. The Bridport facility traces its heritage back to the 13th Century and has continuously occupied the same site for more than 300 years.

Integrated secondary flight display (iSFD) (altimeter) Photo courtesy of Meggitt plc

http://www.meggitt.com/ Photo courtesy of Amsafe

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 40 Present Day

Around the Airport

Bournemouth Airport Bournemouth Aviation Museum

Today owned by Manchester Airports Group, Bournemouth’s modern Situated to the south side of Bournemouth Airport, the Museum has a terminal mainly serves the leisure market, being capable of handling varied collection of exhibits. Aircraft on display include a Hawker over two million passengers a year. It is used by several low-cost Hunter and a Jaguar. It also houses a range of artefacts and carriers – EasyJet, Thomson and Ryanair. Palma is still the favourite engines. destination, almost 60 years after Palmair began flying there. The museum’s aim is to be interesting and informative to all ages and The airport is home to a number of executive jets and flying schools. offers a ‘hands-on’ experience. It also provides visitors with excellent It is also used for a large number of military training flights. Visitors views of activities at the airport. include RAF Chinooks, Tornados, Hercules and its replacement the A-400M Atlas and Royal Navy Merlins and Wildcats.

The airport’s expanding business park on the north side makes a For more information , visit the museum’s website at valuable contribution to Dorset’s economy. www.aviation-museum.co.uk

Bournemouth’s Departure Terminal Boeing 737 operated by Ryanair

Photo: Bournemouth Aviation Museum

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 41 Present Day

Bournemouth Air Displays

In recent times, Bournemouth has staged regular air displays, starting with the Bournemouth Air Pageant in June 1977.

Until 1991, the shows were held at Bournemouth Airport, and attracted many thousands of visitors. Aircraft displaying over the years included the Lockheed U2 / TR1, the Harrier, the Vulcan and of course the Red Arrows.

A B-26 Invader at the 1980 Show

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 42 Present Day

Bournemouth Red Arrows Association

The success of the Air Shows at Hurn and the popularity of the Red Arrows gave rise to the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association.

Formed in 1994, the Association’s aim was to ensure that the Red Arrows displayed at Bournemouth at least once a year. This was first achieved the following year. The Association also hosted a charity lunch to tie in with the display.

Each year’s display was paid for by a local business and an auction raised funds for local charities. By 2007 there were calls for a larger air display over the seafront which, the Association felt, was beyond its organising capabilities. It therefore gave support to a new team which organised the town’s first Air Festival in 2008. Although no longer involved in the displays, the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association continues its charity fundraising which, by spring 2016, had totalled £211,500.

For more information about the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association, visit their website www.bmthreds.co.uk

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 43 Present Day

Bournemouth Air Festival

The Bournemouth Air Festival is one of the biggest free air shows in Britain, and has been voted one of the 10 best air shows in the world. Since the first show was held in 2008, more than eight million people have watched the displays, and annual attendance now tops one million. More than £80,000 has been raised for charities nominated by the armed forces, such as the RAF Benevolent Fund. The armed forces villages XH588 giving its final display at The four-day show is held every August. Bournemouth in 2015 Flying displays take place just off-shore and are visible along the entire length of the promenade linking Bournemouth and Piers Spectators both on land and in Tragedy hit the show on Saturday, 20 August boats moored off-shore have an uninterrupted view. 2011, when one of the Red Arrows - Hawk T1 XX179 – crashed in a field at Throop Mill near Aircraft that have displayed include such favourites as The Battle of Bournemouth Airport following their display. The Britain Memorial Flight, The Red Arrows, B-17 Flying Fortress “Sally pilot, 33 year old Flt Lt Jon Egging (Red4) was killed. The Coroner later recorded a verdict of B”, , , Fairey Swordfish and the accidental death. Following the accident, a Boeing Chinook. In 2015, the last flying Avro Vulcan, XH558, gave memorial was erected on the town’s East Cliff. one of its final displays at Bournemouth before being taken out of Jon was passionate about inspiring young people service - and there was not a dry eye in the house! through a love of flying and an enthusiasm for teamwork. All the armed forces attend, with dedicated RAF and Royal Navy villages. The Army displays some of its latest fighting vehicles. The Jon Egging Trust was set up in his memory Royal Navy warships are moored off-shore, and the Royal Marines to help young people overcome adversity and be the best they can be. stage a beach assault and also give displays of unarmed combat. In addition, there are 1.5 miles of trading stalls and ground displays on For more information, visit the promenade between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers. www.joneggingtrust.org.uk

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 44 Present Day

Emergency Services

Police Air Ambulance Coastguard

The local police helicopter is based at Established in March 2000, the current The Royal Navy originally provided Bournemouth Airport, having moved from its Dorset and Air Ambulance helicopter rescue cover from its base at original home at HQ, Winfrith, helicopter is based at Henstridge airfield on Portland, until it left in March 1999. in 2014. the Dorset/Somerset border. From this central base, the air ambulance can be at Civilian operators then took over on behalf of The helicopter is part of the National Police any point in either county within 20 the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Air Service, which is a nationally managed, minutes. Since 2000, the air ambulance Recent re-organisation will see the Portland regionally organised service providing vital has flown over 11,000 missions. air support to local police forces. operations end in 2017 and future cover will The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is be provided from Lee-on-the-Solent. In the South West region, helicopters are a registered charity and relies on based at Bournemouth, Exeter and Filton fundraising and donations. (Gloucestershire). For more information visit www.dsairambulance.org.uk

MD902 Explorer Eurocopter EC135 AgustaWestland AW139

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 45 Present Day

Air Training Corps

This year, the Air Training Corps celebrates its 75th anniversary, and now has more than 40,000 members in 1,000 squadrons. Three of the original squadrons that were formed in 1941 – 130 (Bournemouth), 149 (Poole) and 171 (Christchurch) are still flourishing, and they have been joined by many others throughout Dorset: 2182 (Dorchester), 2358 (), 2391 (Parkstone), 932 (Gillingham & ), 874 (), 1069 (Flight Refuelling Wimborne), 1606 (Weymouth) and 2185 (Wareham).

The cadet training programme includes many subjects that would have been familiar to the cadets of the Bournemouth Young Airmen’s League, including principles of flight, navigation and aircraft construction.

Anyone interested in becoming an adult member of staff should contact the Wing Headquarters on 01980 622014.

For more information about the RAF Air Cadets in Dorset, visit their website at http://www.aircadetsdorsetwilts.org

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 46 Present Day

Flight Training and Leisure Flying

Bournemouth Airport

With Bournemouth having arguably some of the best flying conditions Situated on a hilltop to the south of Shaftesbury, this grass airfield is in the UK, it is an ideal location for both private and commercial flight in the heart of the Dorset countryside. It was opened in 1962 and training. Most aircraft movements are related to training - from a today is a popular location for flyers. Flying training is provided by flying club Cessna to an RAF Globemaster. Abbas Air and heritage flight experiences are available in a range of aircraft including a DH Tiger Moth, a Chipmunk and a Harvard. The majority of training is for prospective airline pilots seeking their Microlight flying is also available. Commercial Pilot’s Licence. They usually fly small twin-engine aircraft, such as the Diamond DA42 Twin Star, which are based at Visitors are welcome to come and watch the aircraft and there is a the airport. good café and viewing area open to the public.

DH Tiger Moth

Diamond DA42 Twin Star For more information about Compton Abbas Airfield visit their website

comptonabbasairfield.co.uk

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 47 Present Day

Gliding

Eyres Field

Situated south of and near Bovington Army Camp, the small grass airfield known as Eyres Field is home to the Dorset Gliding Club.

The original club was formed in 1929 at , north of Dorchester, to give basic gliding instruction. Activities ceased prior to the outbreak of WW2.

The club reformed in the early 1960s at Gallows Hill, close to Bovington Camp. Over the following years the club was forced to operate from a number of other local airfields, including Old Sarum and Tarrant Rushton.

In October 1992 the club re-established itself at Aerotow launch at Eyres Field Gallows Hill, soon renamed Eyres Field in honour of one of its founding members. At weekends the club’s gliders can be seen soaring in the thermals over the Purbeck Hills.

For more information about the Dorset Gliding Club, visit their website

www.dorsetglidingclub.co.uk

Awaiting a day’s action Photo courtesy of Dorset Gliding Club

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 48 The Future

The Future

Aerospace continues to be one of the most exciting and challenging established corporations and universities, but also from talented, of human endeavours. Barring the unexpected, we can see some of enthusiastic and imaginative individuals working alone or with like- the future developments beginning to take shape today. The biggest minded people anywhere in the world. of these is likely to be a huge increase in the use of remotely piloted aircraft, as major advances in air traffic control systems allow the Organisations like the Royal Aeronautical Society, with its wealth of successors of the drones of today to fly routinely in the same airspace aerospace knowledge and its ability to promote networking and as piloted aircraft. communication, are well placed to help turn such ideas into reality.

Other likely developments are the growth of space tourism, which It is now just as likely that the next brilliant idea in aerospace could may well in turn lead to the introduction of long distance sub-orbital start in Dorset as anywhere else. airline travel, and the arrival of supersonic business jets.

However, all this will be accompanied by major improvements to make aviation more sustainable. These will include the use of alternative fuels, ever more efficient and quieter jet engines, the use of electric propulsion and the introduction of modified flight profiles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

All these efforts will be underpinned by the use of more advanced materials such as graphene and new manufacturing methods such as 3D printing. Add a picture We can expect that companies based in Dorset will continue to contribute in many ways to this exciting future.

But to leave it there would be to ignore the greatest advance in human communication since the invention of the wheel: the internet. Today, much of the entire range of human knowledge can be accessed by a personal computer or mobile device. This offers the possibility of fresh ideas in aerospace coming not just from "This airliner design dates back to the 1940’s, and serves to prove that none of us can accurately predict the form that future developments might take

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 49 Acknowledgements and Further Information

This guide has been produced by the committee of the Christchurch Further information about visiting Dorset can be found on the local Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society: Tourist Information websites Bournemouth http://bournemouth.co.uk/ Jenny Gurden John Gurden Poole http://www.pooletourism.com/ John Nicholson Mel Porter Dorset http://www.visit-dorset.com/ Roger Starling Doug Wilson

Much of the material has been supplied by local aviation historian Information about the Royal Aeronautical Society can be found at and former branch committee member, Mike Phipp. We would like to http://www.aerosociety.com/ thank Mike for his contribution to this project.

The photographs have come from a variety of sources. Historical For more information about Christchurch Branch events and photographs have been provided by Mike Phipp from his extensive activities, join our e-mailing list, by sending your details to the collection. Dave Fagan and Colin Pomeroy have kindly allowed us to Branch secretary Roger Starling [email protected] use photographs from their collections. We have endeavoured to credit photographers of archive material, but this has not always been possible.

Unless otherwise stated, current photographs have been taken by Follow us on Facebook members of the committee.

We would like to thank Mike Godden for reading the guide prior to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ publication and for his helpful comments. raes.christchurch.branch/ Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the committee. Any corrections or updates will be very welcome and may be sent to the branch secretary, Roger Starling [email protected] . Text copyright © RAeS Christchurch Branch May 2016

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 50